Kilt shops in Edinburgh - suggestions?

[Nick Fiddes]

I know it's a bit dodgy for a retailer to get involved in a discussion about other retailers, so I'll just post a note about generalities. I think a pretty good rule of thumb, if you're looking for an authentic traditional kilt (at least when shopping in Scotland) is to give a wide swerve around ANY shop that so much as offers the cheap imports for sale. The quality people just don't sell these, whilst the tourist junk people do sell what they pretend to be authentic quality, but often isn't.

The Tartan Tat shops for example, have recently been pushing kilts that they claim are 'the real thing' at prices that would not cover the materials from a respected weaver (even bought in bulk). And we know from mystery shopping that their salespeople's assurances, erm, cannot be relied upon.

If you're looking around the town centre (Royal Mile / Princes St areas) you'll have to look very closely indeed. There's the odd honourable exception, but whatever the name on the shopfront the vast majority of outlets sell the same rubbish from the same suppliers. Very sad indeed.

[BruceBC]

thanks to all of you for your collective wisdom and experience. All of this information is very helpful